2a-tropical rainforest Flashcards
how much carbon is absorbed by the amazon rainforest
2.4billion tonnes a year, stores 400 tones or carbon per Ha
how does human activity (deforestation and farming impacts on amazon)
deforestation- no trees, no roots holding the soil together, soil erosion, loss of nutrients, cant plant more trees, less co2 stored
cattle farming- 80% of deforestation
soya plantations- still absorb co2 but primary forest stores 14 tonnes/ha more than soya
less trees will mean less interception, increased risk of flooding
afforestation to manage the amazon
afforestation- reverses the effects of deforestation by restoring primary forest, decreases co2 in atmosphere and increases soil carbon.
Expensive to do protect the trees after planting them, they take a long time to grow, monoculture will store less carbon than a diverse group of trees, revives fertile soil
improved agricultural techniques to manage the amazon
helps keep the soil fertile. Small scale, good for indigenous people, less deforestation as land remains fertile, however as pop increases more food is needed and more space so its not viable to do on a large scale, cheap
how does temperature affect water cycle in the amazon
the higher temperature throughout the year, increases evapotranspiration and atmospheric humidity, more clouds, more precipitation
how does rock permeability/porosity affect water cycle in the amazon
impermeable catchments have minimal water storage capacity leads to rapid run off, lots of amazon is impermeable crystalline rock. Permable rocks like limestone store water and slow run off
how does relief affect water cycle in the amazon
in areas of gentle relief, water moves via throughflow to the rivers. In the west Andes, there is a steep relief and so there is rapid runoff. Widespread inundation across floodplains occurs annually
how does temperature affect carbon cycle in the amazon
stimulates ps
promotes rapid decomposition of organic matter and release nutrients into the soil and co2 into the atmosphere
how does vegetation affect carbon cycle in the amazon
stores carbon, 123 billion tonnes are stored in the amazon, PS will decrease atmospheric carbon
how does organic matter affect carbon cycle in the amazon
rapid decomposition of organic matter and release nutrients into the soil and co2 into the atmosphere
how do human factors affect the water cycle in the amazon
flood in the Madeira river in 2014 led to flood plains being inundated, 60 dead and a cholera outbreak. 2 new damns could have caused the flooding as they prevent the natural flow of rivers and keep the floodwater stored for longer. Deforestation means less interception and increased floods
